Spey practice ... Al Buhr's book on fly lines

I tried calling you today. I guess you've gone north, have a safe trip. My suggestion on Tapes/DVD's hasn't changed for a number of years, Derek Browns, Spey Master-Class. If you buy this tape watch it from front to back, then start again, only this time watch and practice each set. Master each step before going to the next. Work with a balanced outfit ( my suggestion would be a Loomis Roaring River 8/9 14 or 15 ft an Airflo Delta long, 9/10 line). This is the outfit I worked with while studying for my THCI. Here are some suggestions : Don't try the different styles, pick and stick to one (Derek Browns tape is the traditional style), jumping back and forth will only form bad habits. Second beg, borrow, or buy a practice outfit (like the one I suggested), Even if you won't eventually use a rod this heavy, it is much easier to learn on a heavier outfit. Use a leader the length of the rod. Practice good form, even if your just trying to get some line out, take the time to roll it out properly. Cheating causes bad habits. There is a myth that the top hand and bottom hand is 50/50, I've only seen a few casters that do this, most of us because of our single hand background use more upper hand. Take a broom handle (cut the broom part off) and practice indoors in front of a mirror, or sitting on the couch, teach yourself to use your lower hand. Remember that as the lower hand comes out from the chest (only a few inches), raise the upper hand. The rod rises into the firing position, doesn't fall into that firing position. You can peg your leader to the grass and practice making "D" loops, as well as the forward cast. Loops are loops, single or two hand they are formed by the tip path. There is so much to write about, if you find this interesting I'll continue on.

For those who want to know more about different styles of Spey casting and the basic reasons for each, a new DVD called: "Spey to Z " was mentioned in a former message. At that time, I hadn't reviewed it. At our Continued Ed. Course at Marlboro, Mass. last week, Topher Brown gave a talk on Spey Casting and Jim Valle and I also reviewed that video. I felt that the main advantages of it were: 1.) A smooth, logical progression from single handed casting into Spey. 2.) Good depiction of the reasons for choice of Spey style. 3.) Very good depiction of each cast. We felt that the disadvantages included lack of relating the casts to the specific river/current situation or the particular bank from which the casts were made.

Gordy,

I had occasion to discuss a few fly line questions with Al Buhr and I discovered that he had published a handbook on overall fly line construction, “How to Design Fly Lines”. I think it would be a great addition to a Masters “Understanding” Library of fly lines as it is more about actual line construction and it opens the door to making specific purpose custom lines along with specific splicing techniques.

Anyone who is interested could contact Al Buhr at twobuhrs@xxxxxxx to get a copy.

Thought it might be worth passing on to the study group.

Jim V

MCI

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Comment: A superb book. It has been hiding in the shadows. This one give unusual insight into standard as well as Spey lines with some information which I've never seen elsewhere.

Gordy

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